A source inside Zamalek revealed the reason behind the inclusion of Mohamed Sobhi and Omar Abdelaziz in the team’s squad for the match against Djibouti’s AS Port in the CAF Champions League.
The decision came amid a particular situation involving the club’s goalkeeping department and a rotation policy agreed upon by the coaching staff at the beginning of the season.
Goalkeeper Rotation Policy
According to the source, Zamalek had agreed from the start of the season to rotate opportunities among its goalkeepers across different competitions.
Under this approach, another goalkeeper would be given the chance to play in the CAF Champions League, while El Mahdy Soliman would continue to feature in league matches.
As a result, Mohamed Sobhi was selected to start against AS Port as part of the club’s goalkeeping rotation strategy.
Why Was Omar Abdelaziz Included?
The situation was not limited to selecting the starting goalkeeper. The source explained that both Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Sobhi wanted to have an opportunity to play rather than sit on the bench behind each other.
Mohamed Awad reportedly did not want to remain on the bench if Sobhi started, while Sobhi also did not want to be Awad’s substitute.
The coaching staff therefore opted for a different solution by including Sobhi and young goalkeeper Omar Abdelaziz in the matchday squad.
Mohamed Awad and El Mahdy Soliman Left Out
The decision allowed the coaching staff to maintain the agreed rotation policy while avoiding a situation in which either Awad or Sobhi would have to sit on the bench behind the other.
Omar Abdelaziz’s inclusion was therefore part of the solution adopted by the coaching staff to manage the competition among the goalkeepers.
Mohamed Sobhi Starts Against AS Port
Mohamed Sobhi started the match in goal for Zamalek, while Omar Abdelaziz was named among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Awad and El Mahdy Soliman were left out of the matchday squad as the coaching staff managed the goalkeeper situation.
The decision reflects the team’s attempt to maintain rotation among its goalkeepers while balancing the demands of domestic and continental competitions.
Conclusion
The main reason for including Mohamed Sobhi and Omar Abdelaziz in Zamalek’s squad against AS Port was to manage the goalkeeper situation while maintaining the rotation policy established at the beginning of the season.
With both Mohamed Awad and Sobhi reportedly unwilling to sit on the bench behind the other, the coaching staff selected Sobhi as the starter and Abdelaziz as the substitute, while leaving Awad and El Mahdy Soliman out.
Why did Mohamed Sobhi start for Zamalek against AS Port?
Sobhi started as part of Zamalek’s goalkeeper rotation policy for the CAF Champions League.
Why was Mohamed Awad not included?
Awad was left out as the coaching staff sought to manage the goalkeeper situation without placing him on the bench behind Sobhi.
Why was Omar Abdelaziz included in the squad?
Abdelaziz was included as part of the coaching staff’s solution for managing the competition between the goalkeepers.
Who started in goal for Zamalek against AS Port?
Mohamed Sobhi started the match, while Omar Abdelaziz was on the bench.
